Alguersuari: Alonso the difference

Former Toro Rosso driver Jaime Alguersuari says Fernando Alonso's talent behind the wheel is the reason why Ferrari find themselves top of the drivers championship after the first six races of the season.

In a wide open campaign so far, Alonso is one of six drivers to have won a race and has picked up points in every race to sit three points clear of Sebastian Vettel and Mark Webber in the standings – despite the problems Ferrari has faced thus far with the F2012.

Writing on the BBC Sport website, Alguesuari said the fact that Alonso is top despite those problems is a sign of his talent and an indication that he has been the best man on the grid so far in 2012.

“The drivers are more important this year,” he wrote. “When everything is so close, the drivers make the difference. That's why you see Fernando Alonso leading the championship. His car was 1.5 seconds a lap slower than the best in Australia, a second slower in Malaysia and China. It has never been on pole position, and he is leading the championship after six races! He hasn't got the best car, but he has shown that at the moment he is the best driver out there.”

By contrast, McLaren's Jenson Button has lost ground in the title race with a poor run of form that continued in Monaco, where he failed to score after a clash with Heikki Kovalainen's Caterham.

However, Alguersuari said he was sure that the Briton would bounce back into contention in the coming races.

“I said before the start of the season that one of the drivers I thought would have the best chance this season was Jenson Button,” he said. “Jenson is the type of driver you really want in a team because he deals with every situation in the most mature way. He knows how to cope with whatever the car is capable of on a given day.

“You need to deal with that situation this season and get the best out of the car - as Alonso is proving. When the season is so close, you want a driver who does not make any mistakes, because at the end of the year the one who has made the least mistakes will be the one who will make the difference. Jenson has not had a great run recently but he remains one of the best drivers and I think this season is open enough for him to come back.”

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Totally agree with Alguersuari regards Alonso. He is getting the best out of a car that has not been as quick as the Bulls,Mcca and the Mercs and yes it is his driving ability in all conditions but mostly when in cool or wet conditiond that is making the difference and i agree with Alguersuari Alonso is the top f1 driver at the moment, that there can be no doubt about.
As for JB he should make a come back if the car is right, and that is the difference the likes of Alonso,Vettel and Hammi can still be competitive if the car is not working to how they would like and that is why JB is going to have to show the maturity that Alguersuari is talking about as we have seen him really struggle the whole of the last two GP weekends when the car is not perfect.

The "Fernando is faster than you" issue is not an excuse that could last for ever, in short "Fernando is better driver than you" must be applied to Massa just now. Seeing FA performance, no doubt he is the best on the grid.